ASHEVILLE, N.C.  – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team dropped a close battle to UNC Asheville on Thursday afternoon, 72-71.
 
Thursday's contest featured 14 lead changes and nine tied socres.

Three Spartans scored double figures in the game, including Jayde Gamble with 18, Nia Howard with 15 and Ayanna Khalfani with 13.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Faith Adams put the Bulldogs on the board first in the contest with a deep three (3-0). UNCG responded with a 9-5 run that featured three consecutive three-pointers, two from Gamble and one from Howard to give the Spartans their first lead of the game (9-8). UNCG continued to hold the lead for the remainder of the first quarter after notching its best scoring run with seven unanswered points at 6:54 remaining in the first. Howard put in a buzzer-beating layup for the Spartans to end the first frame on top, 24-23.

Coming out of the huddle, UNC Asheville's Millie Brown recorded a quick three to give the Bulldogs their first lead since early on in the contest (26-24). With the Spartans down 32-29, a three-pointer from Gamble tied the game at 32 apiece. However, UNC Asheville continued to maintain control throughout the second quarter. With UNCG down by five (40-35), a jumper from Kennedy Simpson, followed by a free-throw from Khalfani, put the Spartans back within two (40-38) heading into the half.

Coming out of the locker room, Khalis Cain got UNCG on the board first with a layup to tie the game (40-40). A foul that sent Nycerra Minnis to the free-throw line put the Bulldogs back on top (41-40). A jumper from Isys Grady, coming from Khalfani allowed the Spartans to regain the lead (42-41) and hold it until late in the third quarter. With UNCG up 57-54, the Bulldogs regained the lead at the free-throw line for four consecutive points, followed by a three-pointer from McKinley Brooks-Sumpter (61-57). The final minute of the third quarter was ended with a made free-throw apiece from both teams with UNC Asheville up, 62-58.

The contest came down to the wire in the final quarter. A layup from Khalfani at 1:30 put the Spartans up, 71-69. Both teams continued to battle for points, but with 36 seconds left, UNC Asheville's Brooks-Sumpter chipped in a jumper to tie the game at 71. In the final possession, Jaila Lee dribbled in the paint for two, but earned a place at the free-throw line instead. Lee missed the first but made the second to give the Bulldogs the 72-71 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Gamble led the team for a new career high of four three-pointers made and went 4-for-5 from behind the arc.
• Howard's 15 points was a season high. She went 7-for-12 in field goals in the game.
• Khalfani led the team with five assists and three steals.
• Cain paced the squad with six boards and two blocks.
• UNCG posted 32 points in the paint.

RECORDS
UNCG: 9-4
UNC Asheville: 5-7
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will close out 2023 in Fleming Gym by hosting Converse on Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets for any home games for the  2023-24 UNCG women's basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.

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